6 
its anther each of which confifts of four cells ^ commu- 
nicating with one common tube, the excretory du<5f of 
the pollen. In the conlfriuftion of this name we mn 
counter indeed to a precept of Linnaeus (Cr/V. Bot. p. 44), 
and we do fo becaufe in that inlfance we think him in 
the wrong. After objecting, with reafon, to generic 
names too limilar in found to each other, he is fome- 
what unmerciful in ftigmatizing almoft all that have 
any fyllables in common, and wonders at Vaillant for 
‘ uling the termination theca at all. The word furely in 
itfelf is unexceptionable ; and as all the generic names 
of Vaillant conilru61;ed with it, even T^etragomtheca 
(which Linnxus at firft retained), are now laid alide, and 
therefore there can be no ambiguity, we hope to be 
exeufed for adopting theca^ as it fo precifely fuits our 
purpofe. 
I’d r a thee a probably belongs to M. de Jullieu’s order 
of Erica^ not indeed that it anfwers well to his charaefters 
of that order, but it is allied to fome of its genera, efpe- 
cially Pyrola. All its fpecies are fmall flirubs with red 
flowers (varying to white), which retain their colour 
when dried. 
E’etratheca juncea has a fmall woody root^ which has 
fome appearance of that of an annual plant. The Jlem 
is much branched, even from the bafe; the branches 
alternate, long and flender, very acutely triangular, and 
almoft winged. Leaves moftly fmall and not numerous, 
alternate, lanceolate, entire. Stipulee none. Each branch 
produces 
